To attract more foreign investment and help grow the economy, Japan is looking to encourage more foreigners to start their own businesses in Japan by easing visa requirements in specially designated zones.
The most common way to start a business here is to get an investor/business manager visa. But applicants must first secure office space and have at least ¥5 million on hand to invest in the business or hire at least two full-time workers before they even apply for it.
According to the draft of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's revised growth strategy, however, the government plans to provide a moratorium on the visa application requirements, giving applicants time to raise funds and hire local staff.